The once vibrant jewel of the Caribbean, the island empire of Aigygo, now lay in ruins, a mere shadow of its former grandeur. The days of laughter and singing from bustling marketplaces were a faraway memory. The once flamboyant colors of the kingdom, which used to reflect in its waters like a living rainbow, had now evaporated into the abyss. Once fragrant with the sea and tropical blooms, the atmosphere now carried the acrid odor of smoke from newly erected checkpoints. It had been barely four months since the king was lost at sea.

It didn't even take a week for the 'grieving widow,' Queen Lorelei, to start making drastic changes for the worse. The first thing she did was cast out all the nobles who still swore fidelity to their late king, those who refused to do her diabolic bidding. They called her an impostor, not the rightful heir to the throne. They argued that even though Vanessa wasn't twenty-one, she was the realm's lawful sovereign, not Lorelei. Boldly, they proclaimed they wouldn't follow her even if she sent them to the bowels of hell.

Several soldiers turned traitors and now served the heinous monarch, rounding up anyone who dared defy their ruler. They were sent away on slave trader vessels, and everything they once owned now belonged to Lorelei. Rumors spread that she utilized these spoils and illegal taxes to fund an extravagant lifestyle and assemble an army. The queen also severed all trade with the sea. Seafood was forbidden from being served on the island. The once flourishing plantations now lay barren. Every day, the island's magnificence diminished under her dictatorship.

She smirked in her private chambers as a little girl she'd seized as compensation after her family failed to pay taxes and worked diligently on her new gown. Lorelei put on the fitted, floor-length gown of rich teal silk adorned with a dozen gold necklaces and a glowing tiara. She admired herself in the mirror, swelling with vanity, a sight that would make any decent person's skin crawl. "That will be all for now, child. Why don't you and the others go clean the chamber pots? That should be a fun pastime," she sneered, her words dripping with disdain. The little girl, no older than six, left before Lorelei could kick her with a high-heeled shoe, a cruel act that left a bitter taste in the air.

"Stupid brat. Why does the world even need such vile creatures?" she murmured. "Hmm, I wonder if the spies have located more traitors among these pathetic weaklings. Or if they were intelligent enough to gather the necessary tools to increase my magic!" As she adjusted her tiara, she inadvertently activated the memory magic within her enchanted mirror. The reflective surface shimmered, and a familiar melody filled the room—a song she had woven from her dark heart, a proclamation of her rise to power.

In the castle's darkest corners, where the light won't dare to tread,

I weave my web of power. Every whisper fills with dread.

A kingdom in my grasp, they'll bow to my command,

No heart to hold me back, no love to stay my hand.

The voice in her mind echoed with each line, strengthening her resolve. The mirror's memories revealed how she met Ursula when she was fourteen. She paused, relishing the memory.

She'd walked briskly through the shadowed corridors of a hidden cave, her heart pounding with fear and anticipation. She'd heard whispers of a mighty sea witch who could bestow unthinkable power, and tonight, she would finally meet her. The cave opened into a large cavern, illuminated by an eerie blue glow. Bizarre, luminous sea plants and puzzling creatures adorned the walls, casting an otherworldly light on the gathering. The figure's presence was commanding, her aura of dark magic detectable even from a distance. As Lorelei approached, the figure turned, revealing the unmistakable form of Ursula, the Sea Witch. Her tentacles moved with a fluid grace, and her eyes gleamed with a knowing, almost predatory intelligence.

Oh, the foolish dream of kindness, but kindness is for fools.

In the game of thrones and power, my shadow rules.

I'll carve my path through darkness with a smile so cold and sweet,

For I am Queen Lorelei, and all shall face defeat.

"Ah, Lady Lorelei," Ursula had said seductively. "I've been expecting you." Lorelei swallowed her nerves and bowed slightly. "Sea Witch Ursula, it is an honor to meet you. I seek power that will elevate me beyond the petty squabbles of the court." Ursula chuckled. "Power, you say? And what are you willing to sacrifice for such power?" "Anything," Lorelei replied without hesitation. "I will do whatever it takes."

Ursula's smile widened. "Very well. You have enormous potential, Lorelei. But power comes with a price, and dark magic is not for the faint of heart. Are you prepared for the consequences?" Lorelei nodded. "I am."

From a nobody to an almighty sorceress, Lorelei's transformation was marked by years of intense study under Ursula's tutelage. The Sea Witch revealed the secrets of enchantments, potions, and curses, each lesson propelling Lorelei deeper into the forbidden realms of dark magic.

Bow down, bow down, to the queen of night,

In the depths of my dominion, where no hope takes flight.

Schemes and dreams entwined in the shadows of my reign,

For I am the queen of whispers, your sorrow my domain.

The mirror's magic faded, and Lorelei's cruel smile returned. She gazed at the black dagger on the small table, remembering the blood pact she had made so many years ago. The pain had been excruciating but worth every drop. Now, with her dark magic, she ruled uncontested. Soon, she would extend her dominion far beyond the island. She had plans. Plans included shattering Vanessa, her daughter, who she viewed as nothing more than an obstacle.

The queen had long known that Vanessa had a pure heart and magical potential that could one day surpass even hers—if left unchecked. That was why she sought to crush her spirit, to ensure that Vanessa could never rise to challenge her.

I've banished love and mercy, locked them far away.

In the mirrors of deception, my true face will stay.

A puppet of my making, the king dances to my tune,

While secrets in the dark await the rise of my dark moon.

Lorelei smirked once more, knowing that her reign of terror had just begun.